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In pictures: Jedburgh ba' game hits the streets

16 February 2024

Teams took to the streets of Jedburgh on Thursday for its annual ba' game

Dougie Johnston Jedburgh ba' game — Teams took to the streets of Jedburgh on Thursday for its annual ba' game

A centuries-old street sport has been staged once again in a Scottish Borders town.

The Uppies and the Doonies did battle on the streets of Jedburgh for its annual ba' game on Thursday.

They compete to try to hurl a small leather ball to opposite ends of the town centre.

There used to be hundreds of such events in the UK but only a handful remain.

The game - in its current form - is believed to date back about 300 years

Dougie Johnston Jedburgh ba' game — The game - in its current form - is believed to date back about 300 years

Proceedings start with a ribboned ball being thrown into a ruck of the two teams

Dougie Johnston Jedburgh ba' game — Proceedings start with a ribboned ball being thrown into a ruck of the two teams

The two teams - the Uppies and the Doonies - try to get a leather ball to the top or bottom end of the playing area

Dougie Johnston Jedburgh ba' game — The two teams - the Uppies and the Doonies - try to get a leather ball to the top or bottom end of the playing area

A boys' or callants' game takes place first before the men's game later in the day

Dougie Johnston Jedburgh ba' game — A boys' or callants' game takes place first before the men's game later in the day

A number of the historic ball games around Britain have died out due to the damage to property or disruption they cause

Dougie Johnston Jedburgh ba' game — A number of the historic ball games around Britain have died out due to the damage to property or disruption they cause

The first record of the Jedburgh event is in 1704 - it was not held in 1901 when it clashed with Queen Victoria's funeral

Dougie Johnston Jedburgh ba' game — The first record of the Jedburgh event is in 1704 - it was not held in 1901 when it clashed with Queen Victoria's funeral

The Jedburgh event traditionally takes place on the first Thursday after Shrove Tuesday

Dougie Johnston Jedburgh ba' game — The Jedburgh event traditionally takes place on the first Thursday after Shrove Tuesday

The Uppies try to take the ball towards the town's castle and the Doonies try to carry it towards the Jedwater

Dougie Johnston Jedburgh ba' game — The Uppies try to take the ball towards the town's castle and the Doonies try to carry it towards the Jedwater

About 15 similar games are still played across the UK but there used to be an estimated 200

Dougie Johnston Jedburgh ba' game — About 15 similar games are still played across the UK but there used to be an estimated 200

Games often run on late into the evening as the teams make their way up and down the centre of town

Dougie Johnston Jedburgh ba' game — Games often run on late into the evening as the teams make their way up and down the centre of town